Coin control and selecting mechanism



i7, 1935. K. c. 'BUGG COIN CONTROL AND SELECTING MECHANISM 5 sheets-sheet 1 Original Filed May 1l, 1932 DBC. 17, 1935. KA C. BUG@ y COIN CONTROL AND SELECTING MECHANISM Original Filed May ll; 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 17, 1.935, K. C. BUG@ ZJZJ? COIN CONTROL AND SELECTING- MECHANISM Original Filed May 11, 1952 :5 sheets-Sheet 5 Figli UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN CONTROL AND SELECTING MECHANISM Kenly C. Bugg, Farmington, Mo., assignor to Ozark Novelty Company, Farmington, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Reiled for abandoned application Serial No.

610,613, May 11, 1932.

This application March 20, 1935, Serial No. 12,004

11 Claims.

This invention relates to coin control and selecting mechanism, and has special reference to mechanism for selecting and separating slugs and the like from the coins that are inserted in coin control machines or vending machines, in order to prevent fraudulent operation of the machines by use of slugs and the like.

It is known that attempts are frequently made to defraud vending machines by use of slugs of about the same size as the coins that are required to operate the machines. This fraudulent use of slugs for these dishonest purposes has grown l enormously, so that it is necessary to make provision to prevent operation of the machines and other devices by use of the slugs.

An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism and devices whereby the spurious and fraudulent slugs and the like are separated and discharged away from the coins of proper value and thrown out of the way, so that they will not operate nor control the machines nor interfere with the proper operation of the machines when coins of proper value are inserted.

Various other objects of the invention, and its ready adaptability to many uses, will appear from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a. side elevation of the device showing the inlet opening through which the coins are inserted and the receptacle to which the fraudulent slugs and the like are discharged.

Fig. 2 is a. view showing the selecting and separating mechanism whereby the coins and slugs are separated from each other, the parts being shown in their normal positions.

Fig. 3 is la similar view showing the devices in the positions to which they are operated by a slug dilering in weight from the weight of the proper coin.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the devices in the positions to which they are operated by a coin of proper value.

Fig. 5 is aI cross sectional View approximately on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a view showing a variation of the invention for separating slugs of weights differing from each other and from the weight of the coins and discharging these slugs out of the machine, the parts being shown in their unoperated positions.

Fig. '7 is a view of the same mechanism in the position to which it is operated by a coin.

Fig. 8 is a view of the same mechanism in the position to which it is operated by a slug having a weight heavier than that of the coin.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line IU-IIJ of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a view showing another variation of 5 the invention for separating slugs of various weights from the coins, the parts being in their unoperated positions.

Fig. 12 is a view showing the parts in their operated positions. l0

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view on the line I3-- I3 of Fig. 11.

The invention, as shown in Figs. 1 toV 5, inclusive, comprises a front plate I provided with an opening 2 through which the coins are inserted. i5 Spaced brackets 3 and l are attached to the inner side of the plate l. An angular plate has onecorner mounted on a pivot 5 supported by the plate I and the bracket 3, and has a corner 6 extending laterally toward the corner I of another an- 20 gular plate that has a corner mounted on a pivot 3 supported by the plate l and the bracket 4.

The corners 6 and I of these angular plates extend toward each other and are necessarily engaged by a coin or slug passed through the hole 2 and dropped into the device.

A weight 9 is attached to the lower corner of the plate that swings from the pivot 5 and supports an arm Il? extending obliquely downwardly therefrom and terminating below a weight II attached to the lower corner of the plate that swings from the pivot 8.

The lower end of the arm Ill has a portion I2 that is bent and extended laterally toward the plate I in position to be engaged by a coin or slug dropping from the corners 6 and 'I of the pivoted plates.

The upper corner of the plate that is suspended from the pivot 8 has an arm I3 inclining upwardly in the general direction of the upper side of the opening 2, so that any coin or slug dropped through the opening 2 will be required to drop centrally upon the corner portions 6 and I of the swinging plates, as indicated by the coin |11 in Fig. 2 of the drawings. 45

A chute I5 is provided to receive the coins and a separate chute I6 is provided to receive the slugs. The chute I6 opens into a tray I'I into which the slugs drop.

A plate I8 is attached to and spaced from the 50 plate I and cooperates therewith to guide the coins and slugs downwardly toward their respective chutes. The adjacent faces of the plates I and I8 are formed with ribs I9 and 20 against which the coins and slugs operate and which pre- Yas said arm is swung by the heavier coin.

Yand the'slugs into the chute I5 should it be desired to use the device for separating slugs that Vare heavier than the coins.

In operation, when any coin of the proper value is dropped through the opening 2, said coin is required to move laterally and downwardly to the position of the coin III (Fig. 2). The momentum and weight ofthe coin operate the angular plates, thereby swinging the arm I0 downwardly and laterally 'to position in which the extension I2 on the end of said arm is vertically below the coin.v The coin dropping onto the extension I2V is deected laterally and caused to drop into the chute I5, as shown in Fig. 4.

When a slug 21 of less weight than a coin le is dropped through the opening 2, said slug drops onto the corners 6 and I of the angular plates and operates said plates. Being of less'weight Yand moving at a slower speed than the coin, the

slug does not swing the arm I0 laterally as far On the contrary, the speed of downward movement of the slug'is retarded and the arm I0 swings back far enough towards its starting position tol place the extension I2 in position below the dropped slug, so that said arm will be struck with a slug and will deflect the slug laterally into the chute I6.

Thus the extent of movement of the arm I0 is determined by the weight and speed ofmovement of the slugs and coins. It being assumed that the slugsA are of less weight than the coins. it follows as a necessaryconsequence that the Varm III is moved to a less extent by the lighter slugs than it is moved by the heavier coins. Thus, the'device constitutes a weighing instrument, whereby the coins of an approximate definite weight are separated from slugs of a different weight and the slugs are discharged through the outlet chute I6.

The invention shown in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, of the drawings possesses precisely the same construction and mode of operation as that above described with the exception that the arm I0 is displaced and an arm 22 of a different construction is substituted therefor. The remaining parts beingY the same as that already described, it is unnecessary to repeat the description thereof and it is only necessary to describe the construction, arrangement and mode of operation of the arm 22.

The arm 22 is bent to provide a lateral ex- 'tensicn 23 that extends through a slot 24 in the back plate I8. This extension 23 is below 'the weight II and takes the place of the lateral extension I2 of the Varm I0. Beyond the lateral extension 23 of the arm 22, there is an angular portion 25 of said arm having a lateral extension 26 extending toward the plate I.

When the coin I4. (Fig. 7) is passed through Y When the slug 2I of less weight than the ,coin I4 drops from the corners S and 'I of the pivoted angular piates, said slug strikes the lateral extension 23 of the arm 22, but being of less weight than the coin is, this slug 2I does not move the arm 22 as far as said arm 22 is moved bythe heavier coin. The slug 2|, dropping from the extension 23, strikes the extension 26 and is thereby deiiected laterally and caused to drop into the chute l. it is clear that this device can be used with equal satisfaction and success to deiiect the coins into the chute I6 and to deflect heavier slugs into the chute I5.

The invention, as shown in the remaining drawings, comprises two sets of selecting and separating devices of duplicate construction and both of which sets of selecting and separating devices are the same as the set of selecting and separating devices shown in Figs. l to 5, inclusive. These sets of selecting and separating devices are arranged one above the other and the upper set, being ofthe same construction and arrangement and being located in approximately the same position as the set of selecting and separating devices shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the same reference characters are applied to this upper set of selecting and separating devices as'are applied to corresponding parts in Figs. 1 to 5.

The lower set of selecting and separating de,- vices is of the same construction and embodies the same parts as the upper set. Accordingly, the same reference characters with `the exponent a are applied to the parts of the lower set as set.

When any coin I@ oi the proper value is passed through the opening 2, said Vcoin is required Ato move laterally and downwardly onto the corners 6 and 'I of the swinging plates of the upper set'. The momentum and weight of the coin operate the angular plates, thereby swinging the arm It downwardly and laterally to position in which the extension I2 on the en d of said arm is vertically below the coin. The coin being of proper weight and dropping onto the extension I2v is deiiected laterally to the right of said extension I2 and drops onto the corners 5a and 'Ia of the lower set of angular plates. The momentum and weight of the coin operate these plates of the lower set, thereby swinging the arm I ll,a downf wardly and laterally toposition in` which the exftension |22 on the end of' said arm is below the coin. The coin dropping onto the extension .|21a is deflected laterally and caused to drop into the chute Ita. and weight of the coin are not suicient to swing the arm Iiia far enough to the left (Fig. 1 2) to deflect the coin to the right into the chute |611.

When a slug heavier than the coin Ma dropped through the opening 2, said slug en,- gages the corners 6 andl 'I oi the upper set and swings the arm l!) laterally, causing said heavier slug to drop to the cornersy 6a and 'lEL of the lowerA set. This slug, being heavier than the coin Illa,

swings the arm I Qa' laterally to a greater extent are applied to corresponding parts of the upper This is so because the momentum s.

and operates the angular plates. The slug2I5L 75 drops from the angular plates against the extension I2. The slug 2li', being of less weight than the coin |48, does not swing the arm I laterally to the left as far as said arm is moved by the heavier coin. Accordingly, the slug 2N drops onto the extension l2 in a manner to cause said extension I2 to deflect the slug 2la toward the left and onto an abutment 21. The slug 2|a rolls along the abutment 2l and drops therefrom into a chute 28 that is separate from the chutes I5EL and Ilia.

Accordingly, the invention shown in Figs. 11 and 12 will separate from the coins all slugs irrespective of whether the slugs are of greater or less weight than the coins.

By actual operation, this invention has been found to obtain all of its intended objects and purposes in a highly eilicient manner. The construction and arrangement of the parts com.- prising the invention may be varied otherwise than as specifically disclosed without departure from the nature and principle of the invention. I contemplate such variations as may be required to adapt the invention for its intended uses and, without restricting myself in any unessential particulars, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

l. Mechanism of the character described comprising pivotally supported devices for receiving and discharging between them coins and slugs to be separated from each other, and a deflector supported and operated by one of said devices and movable thereby to different positions according to the weight of the coins and slugs and to deflect the coins in one direction and the slugs of different weight from the coins in another direction.

2. Mechanism of the character described comprising pivotally supporting weighing devices for receiving and discharging between them coins of predetermined value and weight and slugs of different weight from the coins, said weighing devices being operated by said coins and slugs, and a deflector supported and operated by one of said Weighing devices and extending into the path of movement of said coins and slugs to different positions according to the weight and momentum of the coins and slugs and deflecting the coins to one side thereofand the slugs of different weight than the coins to the other side thereof.

3. Mechanism of the character described comprising a pivotally supported device adapted to be engaged and operated by coins and slugs and to discharge the coins and slugs to one side thereof, and a deilector member supported and operated by said device and moved to different positions according to the weight of the coins and slugs and adapted to be engaged in its op-v erated positions by the coins and slugs and to deflect the coins to one side thereof and the slugs to the other side thereof.

4. Mechanism of the character described comprising a pair of spaced plates, one of which has a hole for the insertion of coins and slugs, pivotally supported Weighing devices between said plates adapted to be engaged and operated by coins and slugs inserted and dropped through said hole, a deilector member supported and operated by one of said devices to an extent corresponding to the extent to which said device is operated by coins and slugs, and a. part supported by said deilector member in position to be engaged by the coins and slugs dropping from said weighing devices and to deflect coins to one side thereof and the slugs of different weight from the coins to the other side thereof.

5. Mechanism of the character described comprising a pivotally supported member adapted to be engaged and operated by coins and slugs and moved thereby to permit the coins and slugs to drop therefrom, and a dei-lector supported and operated by said member and engaged by the coins and slugs dropping therefrom and separating the coins from slugs differing in weight from the coins.

6. Mechanism of the character described com- 1- prising a pivotally supported member adapted to be engaged and operated by dropping coins and slugs, and a device supported and operated by said member in position to be engaged by the coins dropping from said member and to deflect and separate coins fro-m slugs having a weight diierent from the weight of the coins.

7. Mechanism of the character described comprising a pair of spaced pivotally supported members adapted to be engaged and operated by 5 coins and slugs dropped thereon and to discharge the coins and slugs downwardly between and from said members, and an element supported and operated by one of said members to position to be engaged by the coins and slugs dropping from 3g said members and to deflect the coins in one direction and the slugs of a different weight from the coins in another direction.

8. Mechanism of the character described comprising a pair of pivotally supported members adapted to be engaged and operated by dropped coins and slugs and to discharge the coins and slugs downwardly between and from said members, an arm supported and operated by one of said members, and an extension on said arm o adapted to be engaged by the coins and slugs dropping from said members and to discharge the coins to one side thereof and the slugs of a different weight from the coins to the other side thereof.

9. Mechanism of the character described comprising pivotally supported members adapted to be engaged and operated by dropped coins and slugs, a device supported and operated by one of said members for deflecting in one direction slugs of less weight than the coins and remaining slugs, and mechanism for separating the coins from heavier slugs.

10. Mechanism of the character described comprising pivotally supported devices adapted to be engaged and operated by dropped coins and slugs, and a member'supported and operated by one of Said devices for separating into separate groups the coins and the slugs having different weights.

11. Mechanism of the character described comprising pivotally supported members adapted to be engaged and operated by dropped coins and slugs, a device supported and operated by one of said members for separating from the coins and the remaining slugs those slugs which differ in e5 weight from said coins and said remaining slugs, and mechanism adapted to be engaged and operated by said coins and said remaining slugs and separate said coins from said slugs.

KENLY C. BUGG. 

